Erik Sofge of Popular Mechanics raves about the new Leatherman Skeletool:
First things first: Leatherman’s new multi-tool has an incredible name — Skeletool. And, yes, it looks skeletal. The bare, stripped-down aluminum frame is gleaming and cruel, and when you show it off to friends, you won’t say, “Hey, look at my Leatherman.” You’ll invoke the title of Skeletool, because you’d be a fool not to.The Skeletool also happens to be a great idea come to life. It’s the multi-tool you might actually carry around with you, with a few essential functions — a knife, screwdriver, pliers and a bottle opener — but surprisingly little weight. At 5 ounces, Leatherman claims this is the lightest full-size multi-tool ever (less than full-size being those tiny keychain models). The stainless steel blade and bottle opener are accessible when the tool is closed. We can’t stress enough how handy that is. And we’re not talking about the easy-access knife, which is now standard on many multi-tools. It’s the bottle opener that you need to get to, repeatedly, and in various states of mind. When it comes to multi-tool design, Leatherman simply gets it.
Which might explain why, for something that looks so rigid and unyielding, the Skeletool feels almost cushy to hold. The design is asymmetrical, sloping slightly when it’s closed, and curving to fit the shape of your hand when the handles are open. There are tiny design updates crammed into every millimeter of its design, like the fact that the screwdriver isn’t hinged and tucked away, but in a fixed position, ready to be used as soon as you open the tool. And the extra double-sided bit fits into the handle, giving you a total of four bit sizes (two flathead and two Phillips).
The bad news is? Skeletool won’t be available until November. And it’s not exactly cheap, at $72 for the standard version and $96 for the Skeletool CX, which has carbon-fiber handles. Then again, unlike many multi-tools, this one is compact and light enough to carry around practically all the time. Worst-case scenario, the only thing you’ll use it for is cracking open bottles—and look extremely impressive while doing so.